JOURNALISM IN THE AMERICAS Blog

Reprisal suspected in nearly fatal shooting of outspoken blogger in Rio de Janeiro

Blogger Ricardo Gama was shot three times the morning of Wednesday, March 23 in Copacabana in southern Rio de Janeiro, according to O Globo. The blogger was taken to the hospital where he was in serious condition, reported Estado de São Paulo.

Reporters Without Borders asked police to find out of the attack was in reprisal for the blogger's work. “Coverage of organized crime exposes Brazilian journalists to serious threats," the organization said in a statement. Further, the organization said that the Brazilian press suffers not only from violent crime, but also harassment by local authorities, which is a "form of censorship that also affects bloggers."